I think it's time to start an Olympics thread since it's drawing near.

I would first like to congratulate Olympians with Oklahoma ties.

http://newsok.com/2012-olympics-ou-thrower-tia-brooks-makes-the-u.s.-olympic-team/article/3688681?custom_click=pod_headline_oklahoma-sooners

Of couse we don't have official word yet on the makeup of the basketball team but we know we will be represented there.

Quick congrats to the rowers that moved to OKC to train and made it. http://okc-nhpc.org/news/okc-rowers-qualify-for-2012-games-in-london

I just finished watching the men's gymnastics Olympics trials. OU's Jonathan Horton and Jake Dalton finished in the top 5 but that doesn't guarantee a spot. It's likely but not guaranteed

I haven't heard much about Olympic wrestling but given Oklahoma's rich history there we seem to have fallen off greatly in that area.

Men's collegiate wrestling took quite a hit across the country from Title IX, it is hard to balance rosters sizes between men's and women's team sizes when football teams have 85 scholarships plus walk-ons. For OU and OSU still to have wrestling programs it is doing better here than in a lot of states.

Men's collegiate wrestling took quite a hit across the country from Title IX, it is hard to balance rosters sizes between men's and women's team sizes when football teams have 85 scholarships plus walk-ons.

I understand that but it has nothing to do with the lack of Oklahomans or those with Oklahoma ties in the Olympics. We just aren't as dominant in that area as we used to be.

Of course this will be taking place in one of my favorite cities in the world with the perfect blend of history and modern culture.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGZbIZRAUM4

I just finished watching the men's gymnastics Olympics trials. OU's Jonathan Horton and Jake Dalton finished in the top 5 but that doesn't guarantee a spot. It's likely but not guaranteed

I haven't heard much about Olympic wrestling but given Oklahoma's rich history there we seem to have fallen off greatly in that area.

There is at least one former OSU wrestler that is going. He won his Olympic trials which was held outdoors in the middle of time square. Was a pretty cool setting for a wrestling match.

And I wouldn't count wrestling out just yet. MMA has brought many jr high and high school kids to the sport. I've heard there are record numbers for wrestlers in Texas high schools.

There are three wrestlers with Oklahoma ties of the seven member freestyle wrestling team that is going to London. Former OSU Cowboy and national champ Coleman Scott at 60kg, current OU Assistant Coach and former OU All-American Jared Frayer at 66kg, and former 4x OU All-American Sam Hazewinkel who spent his early years wrestling in Edmond at 55kg.

Dwyane Wade pulling out of the Olympics means there's a chance that Harden could join KD and Russ on the Olympic team.

Dwyane Wade pulling out of the Olympics means there's a chance that Harden could join KD and Russ on the Olympic team.

Bosh pulled out too.

Three past Sooners have been named as alternates for the men's gymastics team.

Former Sooners Chris Brooks, Steven Legendre and Alex Naddour are the alternates.

I'm glad to hear that we will have a presence in wrestling. There has been little, if any, publicity here about that.

Of course this will be taking place in one of my favorite cities in the world with the perfect blend of history and modern culture.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGZbIZRAUM4

Mine too. I never get tired of London, and it's always the first place I think of when I start to think about a new trip.

OU senior, Brittany Borman, won the women's javelin throw in the track trials and will be going to London.

The USOC pi$$ed off the knitting community. I wrote a story about, below:

Silliman on Sports
By Stan Silliman

USOC CEASE & DESIST LETTER HAVE KNITTERS IN UPROAR


The United States Olympic Committee says “No!” to the Ravelympics. Make that “Nooooo!! No Way! No Freakin’ Way, You Knit-Crazy Geezers!!”

You might have guessed, the knitters didn’t take it too well. Sure they were told to drop the name “Ravelympics” from their knitting event. But it was the way they were told which ruffled a few afghans. Here’s the cease and desist letter: “We believe using the name ‘Ravelympics’ for a competition that involves an afghan marathon, scarf hockey and sweater triathlon, among others, tend to denigrate the true nature of the Olympic Games. It is disrespectful to our country’s finest athletes and fails to recognize or appreciate their hard work.”

Okay, we can see the Committee’s need to protect its trademark. But they didn’t need to dis the knitting community in the process. The USOC may have forgotten all these knitters come armed with those sharp pointy things plus… there are lots of them, two-million in the on-line Ravelry group alone; enough prickly ones to shut down the USOC’s Facebook site with angry responses.
Thousands of letters flooded USOC’s site, like these:

“Nobody puts knitting in a corner.”

“We will boycott your games, sir. You, sir, who claim to be about amateurism are, in the end, all about money.”

“Do you think we will still be fans? I’m a frayed-knot.”

“I’m joining the boycott. Knit-picking over Ravelympics, which was created to support our athletes? You may as well be needling over hand-knits.”

“I had no idea these knitters presented such a monumental threat to your organization you felt this letter was appropriate. Don’t trip over the yarn.”

“You’re a posse of stuck up bureaucrats. May Zeus shower down on you lightning bolts in the shape of knitting needles.”

“I’m recommending Greece sue the USOC for trademark infringement. Maybe they’ll collect enough to wiggle out of their financial troubles.”

“Right now, I’m knitting handcuffs made of chunky alpaca yarn for YOU.”

You get it? The above is a tiny sampling of the letters received by the USOC from mad knitters. The USOC twice apologized for their original C & D letter by first saying they would welcome any items from the Raveling community. Yeah, that’s smart. First insult them, then ask for free stuff. On-line site “Yarn Harlot” received so many tweets and emails over this issue it was forced to devote three days to the “Olympics slight.” The “Ravelympics” was an event where knitters made Olympic type products and then gave them away or used them to raise money for the Special Olympics. That now sounds unlikely.

In the interest of recapturing this group we think the USOC should allow the “Ravelympics” to go forward under that name. The Olympics should be about peace or as the late Rodney King once said “Can’t we all get a yarn?” Or was it “Can’t we all get a long… cardigan?” Or better yet, as the late gravely-voiced knitting singer Janis “Purl” Joplin once sang “Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a purse and these pins?” Or she might sing to the Olympic committee “Try just a little bit harder”… or something like that.


To see the full article with the cartoon, go HERE (http://www.sillimanonsports.com/USOC_vs_Knitting.html)

With the modern Olympics taking the name from a thousands of years old similar concept that trademark always seemed a little questionable to me.

On top of that trademarks are meant to protect consumers, not insure companies/organizations get payed for naming rights. Unless there is some way that you are reporting the quality of your product's quality to have value because it was made by or endorsed by them it is not trademark infringement.

They probably are not worried about knitters pointy things since the pointy things they have are swords, javelins, arrows & bullets.

Good luck with that argument against them. They are ferocious in protecting the word Olympic and will sue anyone they haven't authorized.

A few of these are great.

15 Biggest Tearjerkers in Olympic History (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1220638-the-15-biggest-tear-jerking-moments-in-summer-olympic-history)

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are now confirmed as Olympic team members. There are 3 spots still open. Blake Griffin and James Harden will be among the six players still up for those spots.

I like Blake but I'm not sure how he'll do against international competition. I'm pretty sure if it's a close game they'll do a hack a Griffin if he's in the game near the end.

I know it has been a few weeks but wasn't he playing injured by the end of the Lakers playoff games.

I know it has been a few weeks but wasn't he playing injured by the end of the Lakers playoff games.

Yeah I'm thinking he was but he hasn't withdrawn his name from the list yet so I don't if he will play or not. Well that is if he makes the team which he might looking at all the big men who have withdrawn their names.

According to this Blake is a lock for the team

ESPN (http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8137827/2012-olympic-games-los-angeles-clippers-blake-griffin-lock-make-usa-olympics-team-sources-say)

Yes, both Blake Griffin and James Harden are on the team.

http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8139144/2012-olympics-blake-griffin-james-harden-andre-iguodala-us-men-basketball-roster

It's going to be OKC versus the world. LOL

I mentioned earlier that I thought that Oklahoma representation in Olympic wrestling seems to have fallen off. I just hadn't heard about everything.

http://newsok.com/ou-olympians-freestyle-wrestling/multimedia/video/1722600808001

http://www.news9.com/story/18908521/osu-wrestling-coach-john-smith-to-coach-in-olympics

http://www.nbcolympics.com/news-blogs/wrestling/coleman-scott-bio.html

Blake Griffin's status on the team is now in question.

http://newsok.com/griffin-hurts-knee-at-us-camp-out-for-exhibition/article/feed/403051

ESPN reports that he's out of the Olympics. Torn maniscus. He'll be back for October NBA preseason workouts.

ESPN reports that he's out of the Olympics. Torn maniscus. He'll be back for October NBA preseason workouts.

I sure he's very disappointed. Athletes never know how many opportunities they will have to participate in the Olympics.

KD led the US team in scoring with 24 in the first exhibition. Very nice.

An update on those with Oklahoma ties at the Olympics. It's a surprisingly long list.

http://newsok.com/article/3692910

Seems to be if you are a male gymnast and want to go the Olympics, go to OU.

It's a surprisingly long list.

They also missed a few, there are four more rowers training here going.

There seem to be continuing issues with security personnel in England during the games. I hope they pull everything off but it could be somewhat of a debacle.

http://newsok.com/uk-border-guards-to-strike-on-eve-of-olympics/article/feed/405833

While this isn't related to the London Olympics, it's a great human interest article about our own Oklahoma Olympic darling, Shannon Miller.


http://newsok.com/collected-wisdom-shannon-miller-former-olympic-gymnast-and-edmond-native/article/3694491

It shows why she was successful in many endeavours.

Not a gold medal yet, but for those who were expressing concerns about this Team USA, a 22 point win against the team that is supposed to be our top competition in their home country makes a pretty good impression.

http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8196775/2012-london-olympics-carmelo-anthony-lebron-james-guide-us-spain-men-basketball-exhibition

olympics have now started ... womens soccer but still ..... msnbc and nbc sports

So today is the inaugural of 2012 London Olympics.. So cheers and have a good day!!!!:Smiley173:Smiley173

The Beijing opening cermony was certainly much more impressive in it's scale and production values but the Brits sure like they had much more fun.

While this isn't related to the London Olympics, it's a great human interest article about our own Oklahoma Olympic darling, Shannon Miller.


http://newsok.com/collected-wisdom-shannon-miller-former-olympic-gymnast-and-edmond-native/article/3694491

It shows why she was successful in many endeavours.

I got to know Shannon through my good friend who was her agent.

The only time I saw her perform in person was at an exhibition in Los Angeles. The event actually turned out to be a bust, with only a few hundred people showing up. But in this completely meaningless performance witnessed by a very small crowd, I have never, ever seen anyone so intense in my life.

It's like she went into a trance about a half an hour before she did her thing and was not even close to the same person. Afterwards, she was very hard on herself about some minor bobbles I hadn't even noticed.


I'll never forget that. It made me realize something for the first time: Commitment, drive and desire are by far the most important elements in achieving great success in any field.

The Beijing opening cermony was certainly much more impressive in it's scale and production values but the Brits sure like they had much more fun.

I agree. It was more fun and emotional!

Great pic of TeamUSA including two of our Thunder players taken by Kevin Love

http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/IfGnDiyEf.L6oDQ6efe0Tg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusolyexperts/Nobodys-safe-when-Kevin-Loves-got-his-camera-ready.-Photo-via-kevinlove7-on-Instagram.jpg

I wonder if the airline charged them for the pillows and blankets.

I wonder if the airline charged them for the pillows and blankets.

That comes with First Class along with the little blue curtain that tells the other passengers you have more money than them.

I agree. It was more fun and emotional!

I really enjoyed the Opening Ceremony (finally got time to finish it). The Brits did a very good job and I really liked the concept behind the cauldron. It would have been nice if it was actually elevated to be viewed outside as normal though.

My only really negative remark was in the coverage. Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira needed to shut the hell up. They ruined so much of the touching moments of the opening ceremonies with their "Macy's Day Parade" commentary that it was just flat out upsetting at times.

NM found a working video of opening ceremonies http://www.putlocker.com/file/459029878D4A3B39#

http://deadspin.com/5930048/nbc-responds-we-removed-the-opening-ceremony-memorial-to-terrorism-victims-because-the-tribute-wasnt-about-america

It's early but I would have to say it's a disappointment so far for a couple of high profile areas where we were expected to excel, men's swimming and gymnastics.

Yeah NBC really sucks they've made it very to difficult to watch any thing live. Looks like I'll have to go hunt down streams now.

A gold for the US in women's rowing. Does anyone know if any of these women have a connection at the OKC rowing center?

http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/rowing/story/_/id/8225141/2012-london-olympics-united-states-holds-canada-win-gold-medal-women-eight-rowing

No, they have visited a couple times but they train at Princeton and most were from various collage teams around the country.

Most of the national rowers here are men, since title IX has grown women's college rowing a lot around the country over the last few decades to help even the numbers with football there was a lot of depth there already, OCU men's team was either one of a handful or the only new men's varsity rowing teams in the last thirty years.

Team USA beat Nigeria earlier with a 156-73 victory. They set an Olympic record for most points ever scored and a USA record with 27 made 3 pointers, lol.

Team USA beat Nigeria earlier with a 156-73 victory. They set an Olympic record for most points ever scored and a USA record with 27 made 3 pointers, lol.

Wow, that wasn't an Olympic game. That was a Globetrotter game. Lol

When do they show these basketball games??? I'm ready to see some real sports...

Team USA beat Nigeria earlier with a 156-73 victory. They set an Olympic record for most points ever scored and a USA record with 27 made 3 pointers, lol.

For some reference NBA all star games, which have a reputation for no defense being played what so ever, though they have come close has never had a team make 156 points or more in a game.

When do they show these basketball games??? I'm ready to see some real sports...

they have all been on tv live ... nbc sports network

they have all been on tv live ... nbc sports network

The next one is Saturday around 8:00 - 8:30 am.

Usain Bolt looks up to Kevin Durant as a role model
Royce Young
August 18th, 2010

I’m a sucker for any story that illustrates how Kevin Durant’s profile has raised, but not just among basketball fans, but around the world. We all know how likable, humble and down to earth he is. And now other people, high profile people, are taking notice.

Gold medalist and athletic freak of nature Usain Bolt to the London Globe and Mail:

When I was younger (my role models) were Michael Johnson and Don Quarrie. Johnson was pretty much the best runner in the world, particularly at the 200m – my favourite event – and Quarrie was one of the best Jamaican sprinters in history, so I just wanted to be like them. I still have people I look up to even now. At the moment it’s Kevin Durant, the basketball player (he plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder). Kevin is a good leader; he’s very strong and very determined. Whatever he does, whether he’s tired or injured, he works through it, pushes on and challenges his team-mates to do their best.

You know you’re making a pretty huge impact when other athletes that are known for being the best at their craft take notice and look up to you, even though you don’t compete in that same sport.

This is just extremely high praise for KD from someone that you wouldn’t think would give it. Someone in the NBA, yeah, sure. But Usain Bolt, the guy that blasted sprinting records in Beijing and is a world-class athlete? That’s something worth mentioning.

they have all been on tv live ... nbc sports network

They're all streamed live at nbcolympics.com as well though you have to be a cable/satellite subscriber.

Ugh, Westbrook just limped off the floor and went straight to the locker room....hope its just a sprain.

Congrats to ALL FOUR of our Olympic medal winners!!!!! Absolutely amazing.

Watched the closing online earlier. There were some great perfomances (Annie Lennox still has it) and some mediocre. I mean, Beady Eye? Really? He sounded like a first round American Idle reject. It was fun overall though.